Wynton Marsalis is a tremendous musician and, it turns out, a terrific lecturer and educator:

In April 2011, Wynton Marsalis launched “Hidden in Plain View: Meanings in American Music,” a three-year performance and lecture series at Harvard University. The six lecture series began with “Music as Metaphor,” an interpretation of the many unobserved symbols in American music and their illumination of the democratic process, and featured performances by Marsalis alongside Ali Jackson (drums), Dan Nimmer (piano), Walter Blanding (tenor sax), Carlos Henriquez (bass), James Chirillo (guitar and banjo), and Mark O’Connor (violin).

I’ve been meaning to link to this fantastic—and new to me!—playlist for a few weeks now. Two hours of musical (and American) history education over twenty-five videos. Set some time aside for this one. It’s an absolute delight. You won’t be disappointed.

(This is the first of six lectures Marsalis gave at Harvard, but I’ve only been able to find this and Lecture #4: At the Speed of Instinct online. If you know of links to the others, please share.)